Mass spectrometry—II: The unimolecular decomposition of benzaldehyde azine in the gas phase induced by electron-impact

The mass spectra of benzaldehyde azine-α, αA-d² (III) and benzaldehyde azine-d¹⁰ (IV) reveal that both ring and α hydrogen are lost from the molecular ion of benzaldehyde azine (II) in forming the M –1] ion. Data from the spectra of III and IV at 70 eV and reduced ionizing voltages are consistent with the existence of two competing pathways producing M –1] ions. Rearrangement ions are observed in the spectra of II. Randomization is unimportant in the electron-impact-induced fragmentation reactions of II. The rearrangement-fragmentation reactions for II in general parallel those previously observed for acetophenone azine (I).